Dispenser



Nov. 9, 1943. G. A. RHODES DISPENSER Filed Dec. 51, 1942 GIyAJZIwaZeJ INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES j PATENT OFFICE DISPENSER Guy Amos Rhodes, Miltord,0hio

Application December 31, 1942, Serial No. 470,857

6 Claims.

This invention aims to provide a container which is normally closed, airtight, novel means being provided for rendering the container substantially hermetic, and novel means being supplied whereby the container may be opened to permit the outward passage of its contents.

Such a structure is desirable, for example, when embodied in a salt or pepper shaker, it being well known-that these condiments, and particularly salt, will not flow readily if damp, and many sub stances being subject to deterioration unless kept dry. Another object of the invention is to supply novel means for measuring the quantity of material dispensed.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may

being placed in the container;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing a modification, parts being broken away in Figs. 6 and 3.

The numeral l marks a hollow, tubular body,

made of any desired material, and of any preferred cross section, the body being rigid. An upper retainer 2 is removably mounted, by threading or otherwise, on the upper end of the body I, and has a central opening 3, deflning an annular, overhanging flange 4. A resilient, upper diaphragm 5, preferably made of rubber, is marginally bound between the flange l and the upper end of the body I and has an upwardly bulged portion 6 extended into and through the opening I.

A lower retainer 1 is threaded on the body l and is provided with a central opening 8 defining a flange 9. About theopening 8, the flange 9 has an upwardly extended ridge 26 of small height. A lower, resilient diaphragm l0, preferably made of rubber, is marginally bound between the retainer-l and the end of the body I. The diaphragm I0 rests on the flange 9 and the rib 26. The lower diaphragm I0 has an upwardly bulged central portion H, in which is located a normally closed slit l2. The slit I2 is disposed directly above the opening 8 in the lower retainer I.

A rigid plunger I 6 is provided. The upper end of the plunger 16 is received in the bulged portion 6 of the upper diaphragm 5. The lower end of the plunger I6 rests on the bulged portion l I of the lower diaphragm I 0. There is a cavity II in the lower end of the plunger 16, and the plunger has downwardly and inwardly inclined passages l8 establishing communication between the interior of the body I and the cavity 11. The plunger [6 should be made of light material. A hub 21 is secured to the plunger 16 and carries radial fins 15 having V-shaped edges 28 which engages the inner surface of the body I, to guide the plunger as it reciprocates, and to keep the plunger centered.

It will be noted that the upper diaphragm 5 constitutes a gasket, located between the upper end of the body I and the flange 4 of the upper retainer 2.' The lower diaphragm ll exercises a similar office with respect to the flange 9 of the lower retainer 1 and the body I. The slit 12 in the lower diaphragm I0 is normally closed, as in Fig. 1, and it will be noted that air cannot find its way into the container, when the parts are arranged as shown in that flgure.

When the operator pushes down on the bulge 8 of the upper diaphragm 5, the plunger I6 is carried downwardly, and the slit I2 is opened, as shown at IS in Fig. 4. Salt or the like, within the body I, then can flow through the passages 18 and the cavity l1, into and through the opened slit. When pressure on the bulged portion 8 of the upper diaphragm 5 is relieved, the centralportion I I of the diaphragm I 0 springs upwardly, closing the slit l2 and bringing about a lifting of the plunger 1.6 to the position of Fig. 1. The ridge 26 on the flange 9 of the retainer I aids in the closing of the slit I 2 in the diaphragm 10.

In Fig. 6, which shows a modification, parts hereinbefore described have been designated by numerals already used, with the suillx a. In this form of the invention, a measuring oi. the quantity delivered is effected.

and to form a normally closed lower slit II in the lower wall 28 thereoi.

It will be noted that the measuring compartment will fill with material, through the open,

upper slit 22, and when the boss 20 is pushed.

down, through the instrumentality of the plunger "a, the upper slit will close, and the lower slit 2! will open to permit the material to run out.

The diaphragm I! may be made oi! a-semicylindrical piece 26' of rubber, specifically one portion of a tube or hose that'has been severed lengthwise. A short cut 21' is made in the mem-,

ber 26, midway between its longitudinal edges. When the member 26' is in place, as in Fig.1, and has become the diaphragm HI, the central portion of the diaphragm will bulge upwardly, the cut 21' becoming the closed slit l2.

The ilns l5 serve not only to guide the plunger i 6 but also aid in keeping the salt finely divided.

Although the device is closed against the entrance of air when not in use, a small quantity of air will enter when the diaphragm III is opened as in Fig. 3, and a small quantity of air will enter to replace the material that runs out.

The dispenser shown in this application will be found peculiarly useful aboard ship, it being a matter or common knowledge that the moisture content of the air is so great at sea that salt will not run out of'an ordinary shaker the practice being to serve salt in an open bowl.

' tion of the body and provided with an upstandplunger has a cavity in its lower end, the cavity being disposed about the slit, the plimger having a side passage leading from the interior of the body to the slit.

3. A dispenser constructed as set forth in claim 1, andwhereln both diaphragms have up wardly bulged portions, the slit being located in the upwardly bulged portion oi! the lower. dia-' phragm, and the upper end of the plunger en gaging the upper diaphragm within the upwardly bulged portion of that diaphragm.

4. A dispenser constructed as set forth in claim 1,- and wherein the lower diaphragm is of a common thickness throughout its extent.

5 A dispenser comprising a hollow body, a resilient diaphragm mounted on the lower poring boss having a measuring compartment formguiding the plunger for straight line movement in the body.

6. A dispenser comprising a hollow bod an upper, resilient diaphragm mounted'on the upper Having thus described the invention, what is I claimed is:

l. A dispenser comprising a hollow body, a resilient, imperforate diaphragm mounted on the upper portion of the body, a resilient diaphragm portion oi the body, a lower retainer on the lower portion of the body and having an opening defining a flange in the lower retainer, the flange having an ,upwardly extended ridge 0! small height disposed close to the opening, a lower resilient diaphragm bound between the flange and the lower end 01' the body, the lower diaphragm being bulged upwardly over the ridge, the bulged portion oi. the lower diaphragm hav--' ing a normally closed slit, a plunger extended between the diaphagms and constituting means for opening the slit when the upper diaphragm is pushed downwardly, and the resiliency oi! the lower diaphragm being sufllcient to close the slit and raise the plunger when the pressure on the upper diaphragm ceases.

GUY AMOS Rnobns 

